Rock-drill.



GERDES.

ROCK DRILL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 31.1913. 1 2,985., Patented Oct. 10,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A. GERDES.

ROCK DRILL.

APPLICATION FILED lULY 31.1913.

LQQS5. Patented 00t.10,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- AUGUST GER/DES, OF GRETNA, LOUISIANA.

ROCK-DRILL.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, AUGUST GERDES, a subjectof the Emperorof Germany, residing at Gretna, Jefferson parish, State ofLouisiana, :have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRock-Drills, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rock drills and has particular reference to adrill which is adapted for'use in boring oil and Artesi'an wells and thelike, but it will be understood that certain features of the same areadapted for use in rock drills generally,

The object of the invention is to generally improve this form-of drillsand provide a connection between the drill or bit and thedrill head bymeans of which a wabbling motion as well as a rotary motion can be givento the drill. Such a motion is preferable when boring rock or otherhardsubstances because when the drill strikes an obstacle it will not breakor injure any part of the drill but will immediately begin to wabble andwear away the obstacle in thismanner. The material loosened by the biton the drill head is then flowed out of the well by water which ispumped in through the body of the drill.

Further objects and the novel features of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description t'aken in connection with the drawings,in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of so much of the drill anddrill-head connected thereto as is necessary to show my invention. Fig.2 is a plan view of the top side of the bit or drill. Fig. 3 is a bottomplan View of the drill head with parts removed. Fig. 4 is a bottom planview of the bit or drill. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one-half of a.clamp for connecting the bit or drill to the drill-head. Fig. 6 is avertical sectional view, showing another drill and drill-head embodyingmy invention. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the drill head, parts beingbroken away. Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the drill shown in Fig. 6.Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the drill shown in Fig. 6, parts beingomitted. Fig. 10 is a vertical section showing still another embodimentof my-invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings 15 designates the lower end ofa tubular rod to which the drill head 16 is connected by means of theinternally threaded sleeve v17, which engages threads 18 on the lowerSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

Application filed'July 31, 1913. Serial No. 782,267.

end of the tubular member 15 and threads 19 on the flange 20 of thedrill head. The

drill head is a circular metal casting and has a central boss21 formedon its upper.

side which boss has a passageway 22 'at the center thereof and extendingthrough the castlngfrom one face to the face opposite. The opposite faceof the head 16 is provided with two concentric grooves 23 and 24. Achannel 21 formed between the flange 20 and boss 21 may constitute alubricant container, passageways such as the passageways 55 of Fig. 7may be drilled to connect the groove 24 and channel 21 so as to supplythe lubricant to the bearing surface, the channel 21' being closed atthe top by a suitable cover in the same manner as the lubricantcontaining channel in Figs. 6 and 7. The groove 23 is near the edge ofthe bottom face of the head and the groove 24 is within the grooi e 23and is deeper at one side and shallower at the opposite side asindicated in Fig. 1 so that the depth of the groove varies between theshallower and deeper parts thereof. The plane of the groove 24 istherefore inclined to the axis of the drill head, the pipe 15 and thehole which is drilled. At the center of the bottom face of the head 16and corresponding to the boss 21 there is a cylindrical cavity 25 of asize to receive the two similar clamping halves 26, which are recessedat 27 to form a socket which receives the ball or head 28 connected bythe neck 29 to the casting comprising the drill or hit 30, the neck29extending through the narrow part 31 of the clamping member 26. Each ofthe halves constituting the clamping member has a channel 32 andtogether the channels 32 form a conduit which registers with theaperture 22 in the boss 21. \Vhen the bit or drill 30 is assembled onthe drillhead 16 the two halves are fitted around the ball 28 whichengages in the socket 27 and by means of pairs of bolts 33 on the twohalves 26, the bit is secured to the drillhead. The bolts 33 arethreaded at their opposite ends to fit in threaded holes 34 in thehalves and when passed through the holes 35 in the boss 21 they receivethe nuts 36 and are thereby rigidly connected to the drill-head.

There is a passageway 37 which extendsthrough the ball 28 and part ofthe drill in a plurality of separate smaller outlets 38.-

It will thus be seen that .water pumped through the tubular part 15 fromthe top of the well or upper end of the drill will pass through theopening 22, channels 32 and 37 and out of the small openings 38 into thebottom of the well from whence it will flow up the sides of the drilland wash the loose sand and dirt out of the well. The bearing betweenthe ball and socket will also be lubricated by any leakage of water andneed not necessarily be packed, though packing may be supplied ifdesired.

-The spherical face of the drill or bit may have any suitable cutting orgrinding elements thereon, but I prefer to provide the same with aseries of concentrically arranged teeth 39 which may extend over theentire bottom face of the drill and be beveled to suit and each of theparallel teeth may be formed into a series of separate teeth by cuttingradial grooves 40 in the faceof the drill, as is shown in the upperright hand part of Fig. 4. It is to be understood that this arrangementmay be continued throughout the entire face if desired.

The top face 41 ofthe drill or bit 30 has an annular peripheral ridge 42at its outer edge which corresponds to the groove 23 in the abuttingface of the head 16, the ridge 42 being adapted to move into the saidgroove 23 as the drill head is rotated and operated. At the center ofthe face 41 and surrounding the neck of the ball 28 there is a cavity 43to receive the lower ends of the halves forming the clamping memberwhich engages the head 28. Between the cavity 43 and the ridge 42 thereis a series of pockets 44, six in number in the present instance, whichhold the largespherical steel balls 45, the bottoms of the pockets beingformed with radial recesses or races 46 for the small steel ballbearings 47. As the drill head is rotated the bit or drill 30 may movewith with the head if clamped tightly enough or a wabbling' motion maybe imparted to the drill, depending on the material operated.

upon and the obstructions encountered. It will be apparent that awabbling motion will be given to the drill 30 by the head on account ofthe fact'that the groove 24in the head is inclined to the axis of thedrillhead and the well drilled, the balls being retained in theirpockets but rotation of the balls in any direction is permitted as thehead is rotated.

In Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive I have shown a slight modification, in whichform the balls 44 are replaced by an annular ridge 50 which is castintegral with the top face of the drill or bit 51 and within the ridge'52, which latter corresponds to the ridge 42 in Figs. 1 and 2.; Theridge 50 is of the sameheight throughout and of a shape to fit thegroove 53 .in the bottom face of the head 16, the groove 53corresponding to the groove 24 in the head shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Inorder to provide for proper lubrication of the groove 53 which forms abearing for the ridge 50 which slides therein, the annular channel 54formed bet Ween the boss 21 and the flange 20 is utilized as a greasecup having a series of passageways 55 in its bottom which open into thegroove 53. The'grease cup is closed by means of an annular plate 56which fits into the channel 54 and pressure is exerted against the topof the'same by means of a series of springs 57 encircling the guidesleeves 58. The guide sleeves 58 surround the bolts 59 which are screwedinto the drill head 16 and nuts 60 and washers 61 at the upper endsthereof form bearings for the outer ends of the springs 57 while theinner ends of the springs bear against the plate 56 and tend to compressthe grease in the cup 54, and force it through the passageways 55 to thebearing surfaces.

The bottom face of the bit or drill 51 has a series of radiallyextending angular teeth 62. So many as are necessary to show theconstruction of the same are shown in the upper right hand part of Fig.9, but it is to be understood that the same extend throughout thespherical bottom face of the drill 51. The drills 30 and 51 areinterchangeable as the former may clearly be attached to the head 16while the latter may be connected to the head 16, if desired.Furthermore, the spherical bits may each be provided with teeth of bothkinds described. In other respects the construction of the drill shownin Figs. 6 to '9 is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 5inclusive. It will be understood that the clamping members forconnecting the drill to the head may be applied in the same manner asshown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive.

It will be perfectly obvious that the ball and socket connection betweenthe drill and drillhead may be reversed from the form shownin Figs. 1and 6 and a simpler and more durable form such as shown in Fig. 10 maybe substituted therefor, substantially the same wabbling connection andfunction being obtained. In the construction shown in Fig. 10 theguiding groove and ridge corresponding to the groove 43v and ridge 42 inFig. 1 have been omitted, but may be supplied if desired. The tubularmember having the enlargement or ball 63 at its end, has a longitudinalbore 64 which extends the entire length of the same and establishescommunication between the interior of the tube 15 and the channel 65which terminates in the face of the bit66 in a series of smalleropenings 67. The shank 68 of the ball member 63 has an enlarged part 69thereon which forms a shoulder 70 which abuts against the through acentral opening in the drill-head 72 and is prevented from turningtherein by means of the key 73. The end of the shank 69 which extendsinto the tube 15 is exteriorly threaded to receive a nut 7% by means ofwhich the ball is drawn into position and rigidly secured to the head72, the shoulder 70 limiting its movement in one direction. The nut 74corresponds to the boss 21 of Figs. 1 and 6, and an annular channel isformed which may be connected with the groove 80, it being of courseobvious that the cap and springs shown in Fig. 6 may, if desired, besupplied in each case to keep the lubricant under pressure. In order toform a socket for the ball 63 I provide a concave recess 75 at thecenter of the top face of the chilled cast iron drill 66. and an annularsocket member 76 forming a clamping device for the ball is provided witha concave face 77 so that it will fit around the portion of the balladjacent the neck thereof. lVhen the member 76 is passed over the shank69 of the ball and is secured to the top face of the drill or bit 66, bymeans of the bolts 78, a retaining socket I for the ball will be formedby the two registering concave recesses which will permit the universalmovement of the b t as the drill-head is rotated. Of course, it will be.

understood that the member 76 may be made of two halves, if desired, butit is preferable to make the same in one piece as shown, thus forming amore rigid construction. The enlarged part 69 is turned down sufficiently to allow the piece 76 to slip over it. A ridge 79 works in agroove 80 of varying depth located in the bottom face of the drillhead72, whereby a wabbling movement is imparted to the bit to cut the earthor rock. Similarly to the construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7, alubricant containing groove 54: is provided and the channels 83 and 84lead therefrom to the groove 80 in the underside of the drill head.

The operation of the device will be apparent from the foregoingdescription. hen the drill-head is terial or earth operated upon iscomparatively soft, the drill may rotate to some extent with the headand if the same is used in boring rock a wabbling motion will beimparted to the bit, so as to cause an abrading action by the abradingsurface on the face of the drill or bit, the drill being what. I chooseto term a wabble drill. The arrangement disclosed is such that when thedrill-head is rotated about its vertical axis, which coincides with theaxis of the well, the cutter connected to the drill-head by the ball andsocket connection wabbles and the axis thereof travels on an imaginaryup right substantially conical surface, the axis of said conical,surface coinciding with the axis of the drill-head, and the apex of therotated, if the mar cone being uppermost and coincident with the axis ofthe drill-head. The intersection of the axis of the cutter and the axisof the drill-head is fixed and substantially stationary and located atthe center of said ball and socket; joint. The peripheral edge of thedrill or cutter is also substantially coextensive With the peripheraledge of the drillhead and the abutting bearing portions of the drill anddrill-head are concentric with the axis of the drill-head and the planesof said bearing portions are inclined to said axis. It will be seen thatduring the operation when the drill strikes some hard substance thedrill head may keep on turning and will wabble the drill so that anyparticular point of the drill or cutter will move in the circumferenceof a small circle which forms the base of a right cone whose apex is atthe center of the ball and socket. joint, that is, drill and the drillhead. The rock and sand that is dislocated is washed to the surface bywater pumped through the tubular part 15 and through the head,connections and. drill, forcing the cuttings upward outside of the drilland tube 15.

It is to be understood that while I have specified the use of castingsfor the parts comprising the drill, the use of hardened at theintersection of the axes of the pose is contemplated and it is intendedthat the term casting shall include all such equivalents.

It will be apparent that numerous changes may be made in the devicewithout departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore I donot wish to be limited to the exact details as shown and described.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. In a rock drill, the coinbination of a drill-head havin a cavity inthe bottom face thereof, a grill or bit having a part bearing againstthe bottom face of head, and means for connecting'the drill to thedrill-head comprising a head on one of said members extending into saidcavity, and a clamping device secured to the other member and engagingsaid head to fasten the drill to the drill-head.

2. In a rock drill, the combination of a drill-head having a bottom faceprovided with a groove lying in a plane inclined to the axis of thedrill-head, a drill connected to the drill-head and having on its upperface means fitting said groove and provided with teeth onthe bottom facethereof, said drillhead having a closed chamber therein for lubricatingmaterial and alsohaving pas sageways leading from said chamber to thegroove in the bottom face thereof.

3. In a rock drill, the combination of a drill-head rotatable about itsvertical axis which coincides with the axisof the well,

the bottom face of said drill-head having a portion inclined to the axisof the drill head, a drill or cutter'having on its upper side meansbearing against said inclined portion of the drill-head, the upper sideof the drill being substantially the same diameter as the bottom face ofthe drill-head, said drill having a toothed convex bottom face, and aball and socket joint connecting the drill to the drill-head, theintersection of the axis of the drill and the axis of the drill headbeing fixed and located at the center of the ball and socket joint,the'axis of the drill traveling around the axis of the drill head belowthe ball and socket joint.

4. In a rock drill, the combination of a drill-head rotatable about itsvertical axis which coincides with the axis of the well drilled, saiddrill-head having a groove in its bottom face the plane of which is inclined to the axis of the drill-head and having a cavity in the bottomface thereof, said drill-head also having a closed lubricant chambertherein connected by passages to the inclined groove in the bottom facethereof, a drill or cutter havin a circular rib on the top face thereoffitting said groove in presence of two witnesses.

AUGUST cranes,

L. O. NAOHN.

